Jewelry spending during the holiday season was down 4.6 percent, acording to one of the first reports issued on the sales season.

Nationwide sales between Nov. 25 and Dec. 24 rose 5.2% compared to last year, according to an estimate by Mastercard Advisor’s SpendingPulse report. This year’s gain, which was adjusted to take into account an extra sales day, was down from the 8.1% increase registered last year.

Sales transactions of more than $1,000 were up 8.7%, according to the report, which is based on purchases made on Mastercard cards in addition to estimates of sales made with other cards, cash and checks. Purchases of home furnishings increased 11% and sales of consumer electronics and appliances posted a 7.2% gain, according to Spending Pulse. Jewelry was the only major category to post a decline, according to the report.

Internet sales, excluding automobiles, rose 15.8%, according to the report’s e-commerce index.

JCK